Fuel free Fridays with active travel

Sorrento Primary School (PS) is leading the change by informing future generations about the importance of sustainable and active travel for their health and the environment.

Active travel, such as walking, riding, scooting or catching public transport, is important for reducing car trips, congestion and parking pressure, as well as increasing physical activity and improving mental health.  

Schools play an important role in educating our students and establishing lifelong active travel habits. 

Healthy choices and a healthy environment 

Sorrento PS believe in promoting healthy choices that benefit both students and the environment. Active travel can be positive for students’ mental health, and it fosters a sense of community not only among students but also among family members.  

There are many great opportunities for Sorrento PS students and families to get involved in active travel. Please keep reading to find out some of their significant initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyles. 

Fuel Free Fridays

For the last few years, Sorrento PS has been running “Fuel Free Fridays”, where students are encouraged to walk, ride or scoot to school in the mornings. School Faction Captains lead the way by handing out many cool prizes, such as stickers, tattoos, raffle tickets and fruit from their local IGA, for those participating in the Friday fun. School Faction Captains are also part of the Your Move student team, who encourage active travel amongst their peers.  

At the fortnightly school assembly, the raffle is drawn, and lucky prize winners get to take home some awesome travel prizes from the Your Move gift store.

Connecting Schools Grant 

Sorrento PS has been awarded a State Government’s Connecting Schools Grant, which provides more than 40 schools with funding to improve active travel infrastructure, education and safety. 

For the last two years, Sorrento PS’s Year four cohort has participated in bike education lessons where students loved getting outside and learning bike skills. Sorrento PS’s Your Move Coordinator, Madison Jones, knew she had to apply for the grant, “after seeing such positive outcomes from these lessons, it was an easy yes from me!” 

Thanks to the grant and the Your Move program, Sorrento PS will be able to continue their bike education lessons for their Year four cohort, as well as being able to provide a ‘Bike Check-up’ for students from trained mechanics to make sure the student’s bikes are in top shape for their Fuel Free Fridays. These education sessions provide valuable life skills to encourage a lifelong love for cycling and a more active and sustainable lifestyle.  

Overcoming obstacles along the road

Active travel doesn’t come without its barriers for some families, as there can be safety concerns, time constraints and distance considerations. It’s always easier to hop in the car when you’re running late.

Sorrento PS borders a busy road, and some families live further away, so they can’t walk the whole way, which Madison mentioned can be a big barrier to encouraging active travel at the school. These families are still encouraged to park nearby and walk a shorter distance instead so that students can still feel involved and they have the benefits of active travel. Every little bit counts, and addressing the barriers of active travel requires collaboration with parents, community organisations and policymakers to overcome these challenges and concerns. 

Travel tips and resources 

Sorrento PS’s Your Move Coordinator says it’s important to start small with active travel “you aren’t expected to be perfect and change overnight.” She emphasises making small changes if possible, such as walking to school or work, choosing public transport and getting off a stop early, driving to a nearby park and walking a shorter distance.  

All our small changes can go a long way to benefit your own physical and mental health, establish community connections and help our environment.  

Get started on your active travel journey today: 

• Need to get there? Access the Your Move Journey Planner to find the best active route for your commute..
• More maps for bike riding and walking outside the City can be found on the Government of Western Australia – Department of Transport webpage.
• Joondalup CAT map and timetable.
• Is your bike ready to ride? Complete your Bike Safety Check before you go.
• For further active travel resources, visit the Department of Transport’s Active Transport website.